Arrangement introduced in wiper blade
The present model refers to a wiper blade arrangement, wherein said blade acts on the surface of a windshield, said blade having a blade body formed as a single piece by welding, bonding, fitting or coextrusion of two different profiled materials, resulting in a single body having a curved shape throughout its length to allow uniform distribution of the load applied by the arm of the wiper. The blade and the arm are joined together by a sequential central support, made of metallic or plastic material, or, alternatively, by an enclosing central support, joining the blade body through a metal vertebra. The blade body has alternative constructive arrangements in its upper region, having a symmetric or asymmetric spoiler, as well as an alternative constructive arrangement with no spoiler at all, but only a convex bulging, leading to improved distribution of the airflow on the blade.
This model refers to an arrangement introduced in a windshield wiper blade, particularly to automotive windshield wipers, provided with a curved shape, having the profile of its body formed as a single piece, consisting of two different materials joined together by welding, bonding, fitting or coextrusion, the profile being used as a support of the metal vertebra and the rubber element.
Additionally, the model discloses constructive alternative arrangements to the windshield wiper blade body and to the coupling central support of said blade to the wiper arm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ARTSeveral constructive arrangements introduced in windshield wipers blades are known in the current art.
One of the main features to be checked in this type of equipment refers to the blade curvature in contact with the windshield, as well as its placement during movement.
Several devices have been developed to adapt the rubber element to the windshield curvature. Typically, the blade body, supporting the rubber element, consists in at least two different components, joined together using several means, resulting in assemblies comprising an excessive number of parts and locking means between them. Additionally, several metal components are employed.
For example, we can mentioned the mechanism of patent GB593775 disclosing an arrangement in windshield wiper blade where the rubber element is directly secured to a flat spring body supporting it, shaping said rubber element, along its length, to the windshield curvature. The assembly consisting in the rubber element and the flat spring is directly secured to the wiper arm by connection means, for example, a locking pin. This arrangement in blade has a limited curvature control, since it includes rigidly joined elements, not meeting the requirements of effective cleaning, even because the load distribution is not uniform along the complete length of the assembly in contact with the windshield.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,192,551, for instance, discloses an arrangement in windshield wiper blade where several different flexible frame models may be used, to which the blade rubber is coupled, so that the assembly is adapted to the windshield curvature and more evenly distributes the pressure exerted by the blade on the windshield surface. The solution proposed in this document indicates that a flexible frame with a fixed or varying width or even a fixed or varying thickness along its length can be used so as to better distribute the load on the windshield surface. In this arrangement, the blade body is formed by joining the flexible frame (accommodating the blade rubber by fitting) with a central connection riveted to the frame that, in turn, is directly coupled to the wiper arm. Alternatively, the rubber is rigidly joined to the flexible frame.
The curvature control required to the blade for high performance is very difficult to reach in blades using several components rigidly coupled to each other, thus impairing the uniform distribution of the rubber element load on the windshield.
Another disadvantage of the current art blades relates to possible noises occurring during the vehicle movement that may cause a certain discomfort to the vehicle passengers and occurring due to the cavities on the assembly components.
So as to solve the current art drawbacks, this model shows a novel constructive arrangement provided with a blade body formed as a single piece by welding, bonding, fitting or coextrusion of two different profiled materials, resulting in a single body with a curved shape throughout its length, thus allowing a uniform and optimized load distribution by the wiper arm. The blade body may have spoilers of different constructive arrangements that favor the aerodynamic action on the blade and prevent undesired effects of the airflow on it.
Besides, this model shows a decreased number of components all over its structure, thus facilitating the product mounting. Also, as a result of its low and completely closed profile, a decreased noise level caused by the wind is obtained due to the decreased number of components and surfaces exposed to wind currents.
Another advantage of this model relies on the fact that it has improved strength against the strict winter conditions due to the lack of metal components and joints that allow the formation and concentration of ice.
Additionally, due to the new connection systems, this product can be used in a number of applications presented in catalogs to the conventional system widely used nowadays and also in windshield wipers blades having a similar configuration.
This model will be better described based on the attached drawings, in which:
Referring to the attached FIGS., it is seen in
The curved shape throughout its length allows an optimized distribution of the load “F” applied by the arm (2) of the wiper. This distribution should remain uniform throughout the surface covered by the blade (1) when actuating it, regardless of the windshield surface (3) geometry, the non-uniform radius of curvature of which is showed in
In
The upper support (4) has a mounting channel (8), passing lengthwise throughout the length of the blade body (6), being preferably rectangular in shape, inside of which the metal vertebra (7) is inserted, also having preferably rectangular and flat profile and shape, being used for securing and keeping the element (9) in uniform contact with the windshield (3).
The present model shows three constructive variants for the blade body (6) that will be detailed with reference to
A second constructive alternative for the blade body profile (6) is showed in
In
Likewise,
The lower support (5) has a lower mounting channel (12), passing lengthwise throughout the length of the blade body (6), being preferably rectangular in shape and further provided with a longitudinal rectangular opening (13) extending throughout the blade body (6), in which the rubber element (9) is inserted through the rectangular section (14). Like this, the rectangular upper section (15) of said element (9) is inserted in the lower mounting channel (12), supporting said element (9) together with the blade body (6). Said rubber element (9) is intended to remove the water and particles from the windshield (3) in a homogeneous and effective manner.
The lower support (5) supports the complete length of the rubber element (9) and also follows the curvature of the metal vertebra (7) under any loading condition on the blade (1), assuring its support.
The present constructive arrangement further comprises a first constructive alternative for the sequential central support (10), showed in
The sequential central support (10) has a mounting channel (28), passing lengthwise throughout the length of the central support (10), being preferably rectangular in shape, inside of which the metal vertebra (7) is inserted.
The main feature of the sequential central support (10) is the metal vertebra (7) mounting by the mounting channel (28), generally locking it in its central region by means of a plastic pin or riveting. The region of the lower base of the support (10) has a passage channel (29) of the rubber element (9), passing lengthwise throughout the length of the central support (10), being preferably rectangular in shape and further provided with a longitudinal rectangular opening (30) extending throughout the central support (10), in which the rubber element (9) is inserted through the rectangular section (14). Like this, the upper section (15) of said element (9) is inserted into the passage channel (29), so as to support the profile of the rubber element (9).
By using this sequential central support (10), the profiles of the blade body (6) should be mounted by means of the two ends of the metal vertebra (7), after inserting and positioning said vertebra (7) in the mounting channel (28), as showed in
According to
It should be emphasized that the central support used, whether of the sequential (10) or encasing (11) types, may have several arrangements or configurations in its upper region, so that it can be applied to several types of adapters. Therefore, the present constructive arrangement and its alternatives may be used in several types of adapters. An arrangement for securing said central support to the adapter must not be a limiting factor or the object of the present model.
Claims
1. An improved wiper blade assembly comprising:
- a first blade body and a second blade body, a metal vertebra, a rubber element and a central support used for connecting said blade bodies to an oscillating arm, each of said blade bodies having an upper support and a lower support, each of said upper supports having a mounting channel, said mounting channel being sized and shaped to receive said metal vertebrae, said mounting channel extending longitudinally through the upper support of each of said blade body, said lower support of each blade body being sized and shaped to receive a top portion of said rubber element, said central support being secured to said metal vertebrae and located between said first and second bodies; and
- wherein said mounting channel of each of said upper supports is generally rectangular in shape having a top surface being defined by two opposing generally oval arms extending toward each other and a bottom surface.
2. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said upper supports of said first and second blade bodies has a symmetric spoiler profile, said spoiler profile having a first and second curved portion said first and second curved portions being joined together by an upper vertex having a rounded profile.
3. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 2, wherein said symmetric spoiler profiles have an interior defining a chamber.
4. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said upper supports of said first and second blade bodies have an asymmetric spoiler profile, said spoiler profiles each having a curved portion and a vertical portion each of said portions and said vertical portions being joined together by an upper vertex having a rounded profile.
5. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 4, wherein said asymmetric spoiler profiles have an interior defining a chamber.
6. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of said upper supports of said first and second blade bodies has a convex bulge.
7. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 6, wherein each convex bulge has an interior defining a chamber.
8. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 7, wherein each said lower support is also generally rectangular in shape having a top surface and a bottom surface, each said top surface and bottom surface being connected by two opposing sidewalls, each said bottom surface having a slit wherein said top portion of said rubber element is in contact with said slits.
9. The improved wiper blade assembly according to claim 8, wherein said central support has an opening extending from one side thereof to an opposite side thereof for receiving said metal vertebrae.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Aug 15, 2005
Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
Patent Publication Number: 20060037167
Inventor: Marc Nacamuli (Higienopolis, Sao Paulo SP)
Primary Examiner: Gary K. Graham
Attorney: Bodner & O'Rourke, LLP
Application Number: 11/203,812
International Classification: B60S 1/38 (20060101); B60S 1/40 (20060101);